SUMMER
Research type
Research Study
Full title
SerUm and plasma MicroRNAs in Malignant ovarian gERm cell tumours
IRAS ID
329236
Contact name
Srdjan Saso
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
10 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
We are assessing the role of a new blood test in the monitoring and diagnosis of a specific type of ovarian cancer called a malignant ovarian germ cell tumour (MOGCT). All people diagnosed with MOGCT are recommended to have blood tests called tumour markers. These are routinely measured to help us diagnose an MOGCT, as well as to detect for early signs of recurrence. These tests are really useful in around 50% of people with MOGCT, but in many cases these tests come back normal despite the presence of cancer.
There is a growing body of evidence about blood tests markers called ‘micro-RNAs’ in people with testicular germ cell tumours (an equivalent type of testicular cancer). These blood markers have been raised in over 97% of people with testicular germ cell tumours at the time of their diagnosis, and these levels fall when the cancer is treated and rise if the cancer recurs. There is promising evidence that these same markers could be raised in people with MOGCT. We would therefore like to explore whether we can see a rise in specific micro-RNAs in people with MOGCTs. Our aim is to develop a ‘liquid biopsy’, with hopes that we could accurately diagnose this type of cancer using a blood test in the future.
At Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, we are fortunate to provide an expert ultrasound service and our team can confidently diagnose an ovarian mass as cancer or not based on its appearances. However most hospitals around the world do not have access to such expertise. Therefore, it is important to develop new ways to diagnose ovarian masses so that people all over the world can receive appropriate treatment. We therefore want to train a computer to diagnose if an ovarian mass is cancer using artificial intelligence.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NE/0201
Date of REC Opinion
2 Nov 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion